Thoughtful musings on various topics by interesting people at Blithewold

Along the Garden Path

Nature’s Beauties Great and Small   A walk along the garden path this time of year will have your gaze upwards instead of at garden eye level.  The peaking fall foliage of specimen trees on … Read more.

Along the Garden Path

Autumn Light, Bird Calls, Unearthing Toads Two perennial late-blooming favorites, Chrysanthemum ‘Hillside Sheffield Pink’ and Aster ageratoides ‘Ezo Murasaki’, are taking the cool weather in stride. Their flowers stand out in the sparse gardens and … Read more.

Along the Garden Path

Gardener’s Optimism, a Cereus Surprise and Metasequoia Flowers What a difference a week makes! After hauling in the greenhouse plants on a warm, humid day, we now have a chill in the air and frost … Read more.

Along the Garden Path

Autumn Sights, Scents and Sounds The walk around the gardens this week has my senses going in all directions. They’re all still blooming with a colorful assortment of flowers, and their mix of colors, seed … Read more.

Along the Garden Path

Magnificent Monarchs, Asters and Salvias The perennial New England asters (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) are all in glorious full bloom in the Idea Garden. In addition to their colorful visual effect in the garden, they also add … Read more.

Along the Garden Path

Garden Rebound The drenching rain and the cooler temperatures are just what the gardens wanted.  Some flowering plants are re-blooming and others are just starting.  Many of the late season flowers are triggered to bloom … Read more.

Along the Garden Path

September’s Charm Each week of September has its own charm. Towards the end of September, a garden walk reveals many floral discoveries for shrubs, perennials and annuals. They all mix together exuberantly for a late-season … Read more.

Along the Garden Path

A Changing Atmosphere in the Gardens The changes in temperature, moisture and light have created a more relaxed mood in the gardens. As the season progresses, plant characteristics become increasingly obvious. Taller plants start to … Read more.

Along the Garden Path

In Good Company It’s rewarding to create a garden with plants that keep good company with each other.   Just like a good friendship, combinations of plants should work well together:  harmonizing in colors, sharing space … Read more.

Along the Garden Path

Heat Lovers and Container Plants It is official, August 2018 was the hottest August on record. As I walk along viewing the gardens I’m impressed that there are plants that appreciate the high heat and … Read more.